Your Home Automation System Is Only As Robust As The Company That Installed It

Paul Fitzgerald

December 1, 2017

As homeowners we all know that dreaded scenario. You’re on the way out of the city, or off to work, and you can’t recall if you turned on the security system, or turned the lights off for that matter.

Do you turn around and head back home? Or do you stick to your travel plans and ignore your doubt? Or do you take out your smartphone or tablet and make sure all is well with your ‘safe castle’?

Technology is very impressive these days, and with the click of a button on our smart devices we have full control over our lights, security systems, AV systems, locks, and the list could go on.

It’s a known fact that there are many companies that are now offering smart products and services that let you be the boss at home and away from home. Home automation is a big trend that is catching on these days, and it is here to stay. When done right, home integration can add a lot of joy, convenience and peace of mind to your life.

However, keep in mind that your home automation system is only as good as the company that installed it, according to Clinton Howell, Director of Custom Residential Sales and Marketing with Design Electronics.

Howell has a successful career with over 20 years of award-winning experience in the custom home theatre and home integration business working with more than 3,000 homeowners. To date Howell and his past companies − Howell & Associates Inc. and H2 Systems Inc. − have won 17 CEDIA Electronic Lifestyle Awards for home theatre and home integration installations. He is also heavily relied on by the news media for his expertise in the industry.

Design Electronics is one of the leading AV systems and integration firms in the GTA, Ontario, and beyond, and they have been the ‘go-to’ integration company for thousands of homeowners and large companies for over the last 30 years.

Solution: Do Your Research And Hire The Best

“When you want a smart, connected home, it’s important to do your research in hiring the right company,” explains Howell. “Sure there are lots of businesses who claim they can do all sorts of things, but what homeowners are regrettably discovering is that many of them don’t know the true ‘ins-and-outs’ when it comes to engineering, designing and utilizing the best home automation products. The sad news: you get what you pay for when it comes to home automation products and services.”

Credentials Count

What makes Design Electronics stand out from the competition is their vast experience in the industry, and their technical staff has an array of impressive certifications: they have three InfoComm Certified Technology Specialists (CTS), two Crestron Master Programmers, two Savant Programmers, five Certified Surveillance System Installers/Technicians, and six have Crestron Designations and one holds a Lutron Certification.

Many of their technical staff also has the best when it comes to security clearances: Alcohol and Gaming Commission Part 3 Security Clearance (including surveillance rooms), Government of Ontario SSCPD Clearance, and Government of Canada CIISD Clearance. No other AV integration business in the area comes close to having as many technical staff with this many accreditations, which is a big reason on why you should seriously consider hiring Design Electronics for your home automation needs.

Clinton Howell: “You want to make sure the company you hire has the experience not only on the engineering and design fronts, but that they offer experienced installation services and on-site support as well, and they offer the best products and services going.”

Home Automation: Stay Connected And Safe

Home automation technology is very important and it keeps so many things connected in your home, like your AV systems, security system, lighting, electronic door locks, window treatments, thermostats, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and more, and now you can access what you need on your smartphone or tablet.

“You want to make sure the company you hire has the experience not only on the engineering and design fronts, but that they offer experienced installation services and on-site support as well, and they offer the best products and services going,” says Howell. “You also need to ensure your Wi-Fi network isn’t vulnerable and your network is robust and allows for seamless roaming and high-speed bandwidth when all the systems are running full-out.”

Meet Design Electronics

“Design Electronics has a powerhouse team and we are leaders when it comes to engineering and design and we offer the best in products and services so you are always safely connected 24/7,” says Howell. “We treat every home automation project like it’s our own and we go that extra-mile to make sure we get the job done perfectly.”

“Our business is special and unique – we sit down and tactfully plan out each and every home automation project and we provide the best when it comes to services and products,” says Howell. With home automation, you want the company you hire to be on the ball and in the know which will keep your data and access to controlling technology seamless.”

For homeowners, keep in mind that smart home automation will be a $150-Billion industry in the next few years, according the leading economic and industry think-tanks, like CEDIA and Cisco, to name a couple. This means there will be lot of fads and trends, so be careful who you hire and what you pay for.